Our research on the theory of quantum nanostructures is motivated by the prospect of next generation quantum technologies for energy, sensing, and information processing.

Exploring the interface of condensed matter physics, quantum optics, -information, and -biology, we utilise cutting-edge analytical and numerical techniques to study the rich and complex quantum properties of engineered and natural nanostructures (such as for example semiconductor quantum dots, NV- centres in diamond, molecular systems). We are particularly interested in how these systems can be controlled and harnessed for practical applications and novel quantum technologies. Much of our work is performed in close collaboration with experimental colleagues.

Erik Gauger is a Professor in the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, where he leads the quantum theory team.

He joined Heriot-Watt in 2015 as a Royal Society of Edinburgh / Scottish Government Personal Research Fellow and proleptic Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2020 and to (full) Professor in 2022. Between 2018 and 2024 he was a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Young Academy of Scotland.

Previously, he graduated with a Diplom (MSc equivalent) degree in physics from the University of Konstanz (2005) before obtaining a DPhil from the University of Oxford (2009) supported by a QIPEST Marie Curie Early Stage Research Training Fellowship. Following a postdoctoral appointment at Oxford (2009-2011), Erik held appointments as Research Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore (2011-2014).

For more information please see the Quantum Technology Theory group website.